Bailiffs & Enforcement Officers

They're banging your door down, and you're panicking. Don't - know your rights. A visit from a bailiff can be a very frightening and distressing experience; hopefully this section will help put your mind at ease.

This section gives general information on bailiffs only: if unsure seek further assistance.

People run into debt for all sorts of reasons, and unfortunately that can incur dealing with bailiffs or enforcement officers. The important thing to remember is that these people have a job to do and on the whole are very professional and understanding. So long as you're open and honest with your creditors, and willing to repay your debts, you'll find they will be reasonable with you in resolving the situation. The problems start if you fail to make any attempt to settle up. If things get really bad, a court can order the seizure of your possessions - amounting to the equivalent sum of your debt - and this is carried out by a bailiff or enforcement officer Bailiffs and Enforcement Officers are people authorised to remove and sell your possessions in order to pay the money you owe to a person or an organisation, conduct evictions, and arrest people.

There are 4 main types

County court bailiffs — are employed by the county courts and are responsible for enforcing court orders by recovering money owed under a county court judgment. They can seize and sell your goods to recover the amount of the debt. They also effect and supervise the possession of property and the return of goods under hire purchase agreements, and serve court documents.

Enforcement Officers — are responsible for enforcing court orders by recovering money owed under a High Court judgment, or a county court judgment transferred to the High Court. They can seize and sell your goods to cover the amount of the debt. They also effect and supervise the possession of property and the return of goods.

Certificated bailiffs — enforce a variety of debts on behalf of organisations such as local authorities. They can seize and sell your goods to cover the amount of the debt you owe. They also hold a certificate which enables them, and them alone, to levy distress for rent, road traffic debts, council tax and non-domestic rates. They cannot enforce the collection of money due under High Court or county court orders.

Non-certificated bailiffs — are entitled to recover the money owed for a variety of debts by seizing and selling your goods but cannot levy distress for rent, road traffic debts, council tax or non-domestic rates, or enforce the collection of money due under High Court or county court orders.